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MRS. g 
BRIGHT'S 
VISITOR 



B< 



MARY R. P. HATCI 



SL-^me 




B 

THE 



oston [,\ 

FOUR SEAS N 

MPANY f| 



MRS. BRIGHT'S VISITOR 



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THE PLAYERS' SERIES 
Uniform with this Volume 

The Cult of Content 

A Morality by Noel Leslie 
The Next Step On 

A Fantasy in One Act by Walton Butter fie Id 

A Victim of Rest 

A Comedy in Two Acts by Livingston Welch 
The Dilemma 

A Drama in One Act by John D. Barry 
The Ghoul 

A Play in One Act by Olga Petrova 

All the World's a Stage 

A Play in One Act by Leon Blumenfeld 

Animal Crackers 
A Play in Two Acts by W. G. Clugston 

Mademoiselle Vivine 
A Vaudeville Sketch by Mary R. P. Hatch 

Mrs. Bright' s Visitor 

A Comedy in One Act by Mary R. P. Hatch 

Number Five 

A Play in One Act by Noel Leslie 



Vi: 



•it 



MRS. BRIGHTS VISITOR 



A COMEDY IN ONE ACT 



By 

MARY R. P. HATCH 

Author of "The Missing Man," "Mademoiselle Vivine," etc. 




BOSTON 

THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 



j 



Copyright , 191 2, by 

MARY R. P. HATCH 



Copyright, 1927, by ^y 



THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY j 






tf 



All rights are expressly reserved. For rights of public per- 
formance, address the publishers who are the author's agents. 

All persons are hereby warned that "Mrs. Bright's Visitor" 
is fully protected by copyright, and anyone presenting- the play in 
any form whatsoever without the written consent of the author 
or his recognized agents will be liable to the penalties by law pro- 
vided. 

Sec 4966 — Any person publicly performing or representing any 
dramatic or musical composition, for which copyright has been 
obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of the said drama- 
tic or musical composition, or his heirs or assigns, shall be liable 
for damages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at 
such sum. not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty 
dollars for every subsequent performance, v as to the court shall 
appear just. If the unlawful performance and representation be 
wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a 
misdemeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not 
exceeding one year. — U. S. Revised Statutes — Title 60, Chap. 3 



The Four Seas Press 
Boston, Mass., U.S.A. 



HAY26'21©cid 79902 



NOTE 

"Mrs. Bright 's Visitor" was originally produced by the 
Harvard Woman's Club of Boston. It has also been pro- 
duced by the Eastern Star of Brookline, Mass., and by 
Marie Ware Laughton at her School of English Speech 
and Expression. 



MRS. BRIGHT'S VISITOR 

THE scene represents a dining room in a small house 
situated in the suburb of a city in New England. 
One or two pictures, a bird cage, some plants at the 
windows y several chairs, a writing desk down right front 
and the dining table in the center are inexpensive but of 
fairly good design. There are doors leading to left and 
right, while at the back center a door opening into the 
room leads down to the cellar. The kitchen is at the 
left back center, the bedroom at the right center. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bright have just risen from the table 
and some food still remains. He is neatly dressed in a 
well-brushed business suit which shows, however, signs of 
long wear ; his wife is neatly attired. She appears brisk 
and capable as she bustles about the room and table, but 
his manner is worried. 

Mr. Bright: We ought to have taken that money to 
the bank last night, Ruth. 

Mrs. Bright: How could we? Five miles through 
the rain and the road washed out in places? 

Mr. Bright : Well, we might have taken it over to 
Mr. Culvert's and paid it on the place. 

Mrs. Bright: The money is perfectly safe, Cliff. 
Nobody knows it's in the house, and we can take it 
down /tonight. Had you forgotten that Mr. Culvert was 
to be away from home last night? 

Mr. Bright: I did forget for the moment, Ruth. 

Mrs. Bright: Well, he will be at home tonight, and 
I can return Mrs. Culvert's call. I like her very much, 
Cliff, and you know there aren't many people to visit. 

m 



Mr. Bright: I know it. And you really should get 
acquainted with some of the best people ; then you won't 
be so lonesome. 

Mrs. Bright: Oh, I'm never lonesome. 
(She speaks briskly and piles the plates on the table and 
starts to carry them to the kitchen, Mr. Bright takes his 
hat and gloves, preparing to leave the house. He stops 
and awaits his wife's return.) 

Mrs. Bright (laughing) : Wha/t is it? Still worry- 
ing about that five hundred dollars? 

Mr. Bright: Yes, I am. What would you do if a 
burglar should come? 

Mrs. Bright : Shoot him, I think. You know I keep 
that loaded revolver right here. (She opens a small 
drawer in desk and takes out a pistol.) 

Mr. Bright: You would be afraid to fire it. (Takes 
it and examines it carefully.) 

Mrs. Bright: Oh, no, I- shouldn't. I've killed squir- 
rels, you know. I shouldn't mind shooting a burglar any 
more. 

Mr. Bright (laughing) : I believe you. But I've 
spoken to Dempster for that big dog of his. He stands 
so high (spreading his hand three feet above the floor). 
He's a St. Bernard, Ruth. Dempster said he would bring 
him over last week. I don't see why he didn't. I wish 
we had him. 

Mrs. Bright : I'm not one bit afraid, Cliff. 

Mr. Bright: But if anything should happen. 

Mrs. Bright: I should have emergency strength. 
Thait's what mother calls it. When our house caught fire 
I was a little girl, but I lifted one side of a heavy bureau 

[8] 



filled with clothing and books that father and I tumbled 
into it. I was as strong as he. The next day I couldn't 
lift a quarter as much. (She laughs lightly and her hus- 
band joins.) 

Mr. Bright: Your uncle told me of your tumbling 
into the well and hanging to the bucket while your 
mother pulled you out. 

Mrs. Bright (laughs heartily) : Yes, that was at 
grandfather's. I was leaning over the curb and pitched 
in. "If I only can catch on to the bucket/' I thought. 
You see they kept it in the w r ater so it wouldn't dry up. 
I did catch on and hang on till I saw mother's white face 
looking down on me. "Can you climb into the bucket?" 
she said. "No, but I can hold on, mother," I said, and 
I did. It was a long cold journey, with mother tugging 
at the well sweep. We were both sick for a week after- 
wards. 

Mr. Bright: You were a strange child, Ruth. 

Mrs. Bright: I was alw T ays getting into trouble, but 
I always got out somehow. So you needn't worry one 
little bit. (Reaches up to kiss her husband.) But of 
course there's no danger. Don't worry, Cliff. 

Mr. Bright (laughs and returns her kiss) : Capable 
Ruth. No, I won't worry. We shall soon be monarchs 
of all we survey. When that money thaft's hidden in the 
bed is paid I shall feel as if we owned the place. 

Mrs. Bright: We own it now. You know that five 
hundred is the last payment we have to make for five 
years, Cliff. 

Mr. Bright: That's right. 

Mrs. Bright (enthusiastically) : Oh, this is so 
much beitter than a flat, "stale and unprofitable" in the 

[9] 



city. {Claps her hands and looks up at him joyfully). 
Not another house in sight, but trees, trees everywhere, 
and birds and cones and squirrels. Oh, I'm so delighted. 
And the money is in the house this very minute. I am 
so happy that once I should have been afraid that some- 
thing terrible was to happen; but now I know that the 
right w T ay is to enjoy everything to the utmost. 

Mr. Bright: And I will try to do the same, Ruth. 
I am glad you are not timid. There wouldn't be much 
happiness for you in this lonely place if you were. But 
this won't do for me. I've stood talking all this time 
when I should have been at the office. (Takes some 
papers from the desk and turns to go again.) 

Mrs. Bright: Oh but, Cliff— 

Mr. Bright: What is it? 

Mrs. Bright : One thing I w r ould like to have you at- 
tend to when you have time. (She points to the cellar 
door.) Now don't think I am afraid, but there is no lock 
or bolt on that cellar door, and if anybody should get in 
the cellar he could come up the stairs and right into this 
room. 

Mr. Bright: But there's no danger because we 
always keep the outside door locked. 

Mrs. Bright : Yes, Cliff, I know we are supposed to, 
but sometimes your father comes in to look at the things 
he has stored there and goes out the back w T ay. Yester- 
day I found it open. 

Mr. Bright: That so? Well, I'll bring 'home a bolt 
tonight and put it on myself. Goodbye, dearest. Take 
care of my little girl for the sake of her husband. 

Mrs. Bright: Same to you. dearie. (Exit Mr. 
Bright. Mrs. Bright watches him from the ivindozv and 

[IO] 



waves a salute. She opens the door to the cellar, closes 
it and sets a chair before it, then takes it away again. 
Next she goes to the desk and takes from the drawer the 
pistol, examines it carefully) then she puts it back and 
resumes her work. She takes a carpet sweeper and runs 
it over the rug, then lifts the corners and sweeps the floor 
with a broom, all with extreme neatness and dispatch. 
She takes a cloth duster and dusts the rungs of the chairs 
and desk, and when she has finished these duties she ar- 
ranges the table neatly, making it apparent that it is her 
habit to leave the table set as is the manner in some coun- 
try places. But she is about to remove the food when 
she hears a sound in the cellar. Instantly a look of 
alarm rises to her face. She listens intently with her 
head turned towards the door. But no other sound is 
heard and after a while spent in listening she looks about 
with a distinct air of relief growing on her face. She 
sits down and takes some sewing which she brings from 
the bedroom and sets a few stitches, sewing happily for a 
few moments. Then again a sound is heard, but so dis- 
tinct this time there can be no doubt that it comes from 
the cellar. Mrs. Bright rises quickly and stands in the 
middle of the room 9 every faculty tense and rampant. 
She looks first at the drawer where the pistol reposes, 
taking a step toward it. Then her face registers a sud- 
den resolve. It is' as if she had made a decision. Reach- 
ing forward she opens the door so quickly that the 
burglar, whose hand has been extended to reach the knob, 
lurches suddenly forward. He is blinking from the light 
coming after the darkness of the cellar. He is shabbily 
dressed, his face is covered with whiskers, and he seems 
not only cold, but hungry, for he looks ravenously at the 
remnants of food on the table.) 

[»] 



Mrs. Bright (speaking politely, as if her visitors 
usually came up the cellar stairs) : Come in and sit down 
by the fire, you look cold. (He gives her a glance of sur- 
prise and lurches heavily into the chair she pushes toward 
him.) I see by your look at the table that you haven't 
had any breakfast. (She looks at the table and nods at 
him brightly.) 

Burglar : No, nor any supper nor anything at all for 
'most a week, except what I snatched from a garbage 
pail. 

Mrs. Bright: I should think you would be just 
starved. Wait a minute till I get some more bread. 
You will want some more meat, too. Sit right down. 
(She draws up the chair nearest to the table. The man 
looks at her suspiciously, then at the table. Evidently its 
attractions are stronger than his fears,* for he sits and be- 
gins eating ravenously. She goes to the kitchen, his eyes 
following her movements while he eats. She returns with 
bread and other food, arranging it neatly on the table.) 

Burglar : Does your man come home pretty soon ? 

Mrs. Bright: No. Have some more meat? (She 
pushes the plate toward him). Perhaps you will relish 
some of this pudding. I made it myself. I do nearly all 
my cooking. You see, Cliff — that's my husband — lived 
in a boarding house so many years that he abominates 
"store victuals" as he says. (He stops eating to stare at 
her for a moment f then goes on, she waiting upon him 
politely. Finally his appetite seems to be satisfied. Seeing 
him shiver she turns the damper to the stove and puts in 
a stick of wood.) We've had terrible cold weather, 
haven't we, for fhis time of year? The papers say we art- 
going to have snow ; but they don't know quite everything, 

. [12] 



though you'd think so sometimes to read what they say. 
'{Laughs lightly.) 

Burglar {shifting about uneasily) : There ain't no 
use talking as if you didn't know what I come for. You 
ain't no fool. You must know I didn't get into the cellar 
and hang around all night and this morning till your 
husband went away jest to talk aboi&t the weather nor to 
get a meal of victuals, even if I was starving. (Speaks 
gruffly, but does not look at her,) 

Mrs. Bright: It was you then that left the cellar 
door open? 

Burglar; Yes, but that ain't no consequence, is it, 
how I got in? It's- what I came for, 

Mrs, Bright; Yes; what did you come for? 

Burglar; I come for that five hundred dollars. I 
heard your man tell a friend that he was going to pay it 
on his place. It was on the cars I heard it. He didn't 
pay it lasit night, I know because I watched round all 
night. So it's in the house, and I want it. It's in there. 
(Points to the bedroom at right back center.) I know, 
for I heard you and him talking about it when I crept up 
them stairs (glances at cellar stairs). It's there, and I 
mean to have it. Do you hear? (Advances toward her 
in threatening manner.) 

Mrs. Bright: Yes, I hear (speaks calmly), but I 
don't -believe it. (She begins to clear the table of the 
food in a leisurely manner and carries the food and dishes 
to the kitchen at the left. He follows her to the door and 
watches her until she returns.) What I can't understand 
is that a man like you would even once think of taking 
money from a woman. 

[13] 



Burglar : I wouldn't if I didn't need it like hell. (He 
looks at her and shifts his feet uneasily.) 

Mrs. Bright (pushes a chair toward him) : Sit 
down and talk it over. (He sits, down as if compelled to< 
against his will.) You say you need money, but so do 
we. We are in debt for this house, and that money will 
have to be paid on it or the mortgage will be foreclosed. 

Burglar: Hire it. 

Mrs. Bright : We can't. There isn't a person in the 
world we could hire it of. r 

Burglar; That's bad. 

Mrs. Bright ; Yes ;. and you can never know how 
hard we've worked to get and save it. Why, Cliff (that's 
my husband), went without luncheons a whole year — pre- 
tended he wasn't hungry at noon — just to save. (The 
burglar looks interested in spite of himself,) 

Burglar; There ain't no fool job in going hungry, 
but he could fill up nights when he got home, have a 
good square meal. 

Mrs. Bright : But that isn't all We saved in every 
way. I made over my clothes till I couldn't any longer. 

Burglar (looking her over sarcastically) : Don't 
look so very shabby. 

Mrs. Bright: That's because you don't know that 
this dress has been turned, made over and colored. And 
Cliff has only one good suit. I press the trousers every 
Saturday night so as to ihave them look nice for the next 
week. But he's getting to look pretty shabby lately. 

Burglar (surlily) : What you 'spose I care? I bet 
he ain't as shabby as 1 be. I've worked as hard as you 
and him to get a living. Look at me. I hain't had a 

[14] 



square meal lor a month till tonight, and these fancy 
clothes of mine is all I got. 

Mrs. Bright : Can't you get any work-? 

Burglar : No. 

Mrs. Bright: Have you tried? 

Burglars Tried? I have done everything but knock 
a man down and tell him he'd got to give me work. I 
tell you there ain't no work. Everybody is turning off 
instead of taking on. I had a good place, foreman in a 
portable mill, but the mill shet down, and I lost that job. 
Then I worked a spell in a stable ; the boss sold his horses, 
couldn't afford to keep 'em, he said. I hain't had no 
work sence. 

Mrs. Bright; Can't you run a car? There's lots of 
money in that. 

Burglar; It cost money to learn, and it takes time> 
I'd starve before I got a job. 

Mrs. Bright; There must be something for you to 
do. 

Burglar; There's jest one thing and I'm going to 
do it. I've got to live or die, and I ain't quite ready to 
die yet. So I'm going to get money dishonest, seeing I 
oam't get it honest. It's the only way left. Hurry up. 
I can't wait all day. (Speaks gruffly and takes a step 
toward her threateningly. Mrs % Bright rises\ slowly and 
approaches the desk where the pistol is. Site opens the 
drawer and after a moment takes out a piece of fancy 
work. Sitting down again she begins to sew while the 
burglar watches her as if fascinated.) You're a cool 
piece. (She sets a few more stitcJics, then rises dud 
folds up the table cloth.) 

[15] 



Mrs. Bright': Are you a stranger here? 

Burglar: Yes, I be. I walked over from the plain 
yesterday and I've been hanging round ever sence to get: 
that money.- Now step lively. I can't waste no more 
time. 

Mrs-.. Bright (Lays aside her work and looks up 
cheerfully) i I've thought it all out for you, and I'll tell, 
you what I will do. I will lend you some money. 

Burglar:. Lend me some money? 

Mrs. Bright : Yes ; you hadn't thought of that, had 
you? 

Burglar : No. 

Mrs. Bright : You see I can't give it to yott, for Cliff 
would never forgive me. You see we've worked so hard 
to get it together. I can't let you have it. (She looks at 
him with trembling lips, but steady eyes,} 

Burglar : I don't see but you'll have to. I don't want 
to use any force, but I'm going to have that money. I've 
starved long enough. A good straight meal makes me 
all the more determined. Five hundred dollars would 
put me on Easy Street. 

Mrs. Bright : But it would put us on Uneasy Street. 
No ; I can't give you the money, but I will lend you some 
money, and you can pay me when you get work. How 
much will do you? (She puts her head on one side a 
little in a birdlike way which seems to interest the* man. 
for he watches her intently and does not reply,) I might 
lend you ten or twenty dollars. 

Burglar: Say now. what you mean by that? You 
lend me ten or twenty dollars? Don't you know I 
can take the whole? 

[16] 



Burglar : Why won't I when I come to do it ? 

Mrs. Bright: Because you are too much of a man 
to steal when I am willing to lend you some money. I 
will let you have twenty-five if you think twenty won't be 
enougih. But you must promise to pay it back just as 
soon as you can. 

Burglar (grinning, seemingly touched by the humor 
of it) : Do you really think, I will pay it back? 

Mrs. Bright : Yes, I know you will if you can. I'm 
just as sure of it as I can be. You want to be honest and 
you've tried to be ; but you've got discouraged. Such bad 
luck would discourage anybody. You didn't think you 
could borrow money, did you? 

Burglar (drily): No; most folks would shy at 
lending twenty-five dollars to a tramp. Perhaps you 
would if I had come through the front door instead of up 
the cellar stairs. 

Mrs. Bright: Perhaps I would. You see we need 
every dollar. But I have an uncle who might lend me 
that amount, although he is a poor man. And when you 
pay me back I will pay him. Now I will write a note for 
you to sign. (She sits down to the desk with her knees 
against the drawer where the loaded pistol is and writes 
the note. The man watches her wondervngly, rubbing 
his face, resting his arm on his hand, fidget ting generally. 
When she turns around he starts nervously. Reads.) 
'Tor value received I promise to pay Ruth A. Bright 
twenty-five dollars on demand. (She reads slowly, the 
man listens intently.) 

Burglar: You don't say when, but "on demand." 

Mrs. Bright: No; because I don't know when you 
can get around to pay it. I don't really demand it either, 

[17] 



for I shouldn't know wnere to find you. Sign here. 
(She points to the place with her pen. Squaring his 
shoulders, his face taking on a new look he signs his 
name and hands her the note.) 

Mrs. Bright (reads) : John Perham. 

Burglar: Yes, that's my name, and I mean to pay 
that note, and I believe I can. You see I shall have 
something to live on while I am looking for a job. (She 
goes to the bedroom after the money and he stands with 
his back to the door, not even looking over his shoulder 
to watch her. She returns with five five dollar bills, 
which she hands to him cordially.) One, two, three, four, 
five, and there you are (smiling). 

Burglar: Thank you. (Turns away his head.) I'll 
pay it back, sure. 

Mrs. Bright : I know you will. But you need better 
clothes. Would you mind wearing a suit of my hus- 
band's? 

Burglar: I ain't proud. 

Mrs. Bright (looking him over) : He's about your 
size. It isn't a very good suit, but one that he puts on 
occasionally. 

Burglar : Thank you. If I don't have to buy clothes 
the money will last longer. 

Mrs. Bright: That's just what I was thinking of. 
(He stands in the middle of the room while she goes to 
the bedroom, looking at the money in his hand. She re- 
turns with the clothing, which includes a cloth cap, a 
pair of shoes, and a shirt. Leaving them on the chair 
she goes back for a suitcase. She packs them deftly, he 
all the time watching her.) There, I guess that will do. 
(Hands the case to him with a smile.) 

[18] 



Burglar (in trembling tones) : I never thought — I 
never knew — 'that there was such a woman as you in the 
world. My mother run away when I was a kid and my 
sisters — no matter about them — I never saw such a 
woman as you be. I thought you was a fool at first; 
honest I did ; but I know now that you are a good woman 
that knows more than most folks do. But say, didn't it 
jar — I meart wasn't you frightened when I come up the 
cellar stairs? 

Mrs. Bright : Yes, at first, I suppose I was ; but in a 
second something told me what to do. I saw that you 
were unfortunate, and I am always sorry for anyone like 
that. (The door bell rings, three pulls.) 

Burglar (looks about as if for a place to hide) : 
Who's that? (He is now the man he was when he en- 
tered,) 

Mrs. Bright : It is my husband ; but I won't let him 
in until you get away. Hurry. You know the way. 
(Opens the cellar door while her husband rings again and 
again.) 

Burglar : Won't he follow me when he finds out ? 

Mrs. Bright: No; I won't tell him until tonight. 
Goodbye and good luck. Inside of a year you'll come 
back and pay me. 

Burglar: I will, so help me. (He disappears down 
the stairs while Mr. Bright rings until she hears the cel- 
lar door close, when she opens the door and falls a limp 
weight into her husband's arms.) 

Mr. Bright: Good heavens, Ruth, what is it? I 
began to think you had gone away. How long have you 
been sick? (He puts her gently on a chair and places 
a pillow behind her head.) 

[19] 



Mrs. Bright: Not long. I shall be all right soon. 
It is just a nervous strain. Don't ask me any questions, 
will you? 

Mr. Bright: You've been working too hard, Ruth, 
that's what's the matter. {He leans over her and she 
leans her head on his shoulder, smiling weakly.) 

Mrs. Bright: Why did you come home so soon, 
Cliff? 

Mr. Bright : I can't explain it, but I suppose it wor- 
ried me, our talk about that money after you told me 
about the cellar door being left open. Of course, I knew 
it was perfectly isafe; but I decided not to risk it aaiy 
longer. So I've brought home a bolt, and if you will tell 
me where I can find the screw driver I'll put it right on, 
so you'll be safe. {She starts to rise.) No don't get 
up. I'll find it. Sit still. 

Mrs. Bright: Oh, I'm all right now. {Gets the 
screw driver from the kitchen and watches him while he 
puts on the" bolt. They talk as he works, she sitting on 
the arm of the chair and helping him by handing him the 
different tools, an awl, screw driver and hammer.) 

Mr. Bright : Just as soon as I get this done we will 
go and pay that money, won't we ? You say you feel all 
right now. 

Mrs. Bright : Hadn't we better wait until after sup- 
per Cliff? 

Mr. Bright: No, we won't wait Someone may 
come and prevent our going if we wait, and that money 
must be paid before another day. There, that's all right. 
{Stands back and looks at the bolt.) I was cut out for 
a carpenter. 

[20] 



Mrs. Bright: Yes, that's a good job, Cliff. I wish 
you would do a few other things for me, will you ? 

Mr. Bright: No, not now. Put your duds on and 
get that money. You'll feel better for the ride. {She 
goes to the bedroom and returns with a large roll of bills. 
He runs it over, then as if thinking he has made a mis- 
take, counts it again. He looks anxiously at his wife.) I 
can't make 4 this come out right, Ruth. There should be 
five hundred dollars and I make it four hundred and 
seventy-five. 

Mrs. Bright: That's what it is, Cliff. I lent twen- 
ty-five to a man this afternoon. 

Mr. Bright {angrily) : Were you crazy, Ruth? 
^ou must have been to lend it when we needed it all to 
pay on that mortgage. W'ho was it? 

Mrs. Bright : He said his name was John Perhami. 

Mr. Bright : John Perham, John Perham. I don't 
know any John Perham. 

Mrs. Bright {speaks hastily) : He came up through 
that door. He was here when you — 

Mr. Bright : And you kept me outside while a thief 
got away with twenty-five dollars. I wouldn't have be- 
lieved it if you hadn't to»ld me yourself. And you so 
capable. Capable! {Speaks disgustedly). 

Mrs. Bright : Just listen. You don't understand hoiw 
capable I was. He might have taken the whole, and I 
lent him twenty-five dollars. He will pay it back, too. 
{Her husband gives a low whistle). I was frightened 
horribly when I heard him coming up the cellar stairs, 
then all at once I seemed to get "emergency strength," 
and I opened the! door and invited him in and gave him 
some breakfast. I treated him like a visitor, Cliff, only 

[21] 



I gave — I mean, lent him the money and your hunting 
suit. You'll have to hunt for it now. You know you 
can never find your clothes ; and that in particular. (She 
giggles nervously.) 

Mr. Bright: But the pistol, Ruth. You said you 
could use that. 

Mrs. Bright: I thought once that I would. But I 
couldn't shoot an unarmed man. He was hungry 
and too wicked to die. I was led to do as I did. 

Mr. Bright : It was wonderful that you weren't mur- 
dered, to say nothing of the money. But of course he 
will never pay it back. 

Mrs. Bright: He will. I know he will, Cliff. 

Mr. Bright : Well, all I have to say is, you beat the 
Dutch. 

(Curtain) 



[22] 



